I have been thinking about what I would like to change about me in the new year.... I think I would like to be more in balance.Sometimes that is not the easiest thing to do.I am going to dedicate my new year to that.

What would you like to strive for in the new year?When you decide mail your suggestions to me and I will put them in the next newsletter (minus your name of course) :>)

Federal investigators who traveled to Canada in 1994 to interview John Graham about the 1975 kidnapping and murder of Annie Mae Aquash found Graham visibly shaken, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Wednesday in opening statements at Graham’s trial for her murder.

Jackley told jurors that Graham admitted to then-South Dakota U.S. Marshal Bob Ecoffey and Bureau of Indian Affairs investigator Mitch Pourier that he had helped bring Aquash from Denver to Rapid City in the days before her death, but claimed he left Aquash at a safe house in Pine Ridge.

“John Graham was shaking so bad that he shook the picnic table,” Jackley said, describing the interview done in a Canada park. He also said Graham “teared up” when shown photos of Aquash’s body, which was found Feb. 24, 1976, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Jackley told jurors they would hear testimony that when investigators confronted Graham with what they knew about the case, Graham said, “Looks like you guys have my future planned out for me. You have your case.”

But defense attorney John Murphy told jurors the state has a lot to prove. Jurors will not hear testimony about fingerprints, ballistics evidence, DNA, taped confessions or other direct evidence linking his client to the crime.

“You’re not going to hear that evidence because the government doesn’t have it,” he said.

What the state has are witnesses who claim Graham was there when Aquash was kidnapped and that he pulled the trigger in the execution-style shooting, which prosecutors say was ordered by leaders in the American Indian Movement who believed Aquash was a government informant.

But Murphy urged jurors to listen closely to those witnesses, whom he said have given “radically different stories” depending on when and to whom they were speaking.

“A virtual cottage industry has grown around this case,” Murphy said, adding that some people have been willing to change their stories to fit the government’s theory in order to stay “on the right side of this case.”

Murphy asked jurors to listen especially closely to the testimony of the prosecution’s two key witnesses, Arlo Looking Cloud and Serle Chapman, whom he described as “two guys with motive to lie.”

Murphy said that Looking Cloud, who was convicted in 2004 of Aquash’s murder, changed key parts of his story after he lost appeals of his conviction and began trying to cut a deal with prosecutors to get out of prison early. The government paid Chapman, a British author, about $170,000 over eight years for his cooperation, plus helped him and his wife get green cards allowing them permanent residency in the United States, Murphy said.

Prosecutors called four witnesses Wednesday afternoon. Rancher Roger Amiotte testified about finding Aquash’s body while checking his fence lines in February 1976. A turquoise bracelet found on her arm was introduced as evidence and passed among the jury.

Retired FBI agent John Munis told of attending the first autopsy performed on the body in which Dr. W.O. Brown erroneously determined the then-unidentified person had died of “exposure.” Munis explained that because the body was somewhat decomposed, the hands were severed and sent to the FBI lab in hopes of obtaining fingerprints using special advanced procedures. The body was then buried.

Retired FBI agent Bill Wood told how, after the body was identified as that of Aquash, he sought a court order to have the body exhumed and a second autopsy performed. An AIM attorney, Bruce Ellison, also requested a second autopsy. During the second autopsy, a bullet was found in Aquash’s head.

When questioned about why Aquash was buried before she was identified, Wood said he didn’t know and that the burial had been ordered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He also said that at that time, Pine Ridge’s morgue was “sometimes refrigerated and sometimes not.”

Nate Merrick, a retired tribal and BIA police investigator, also testified about the initial investigation.

Wednesday’s court session ended with Raymond Handboy testifying about how he and his late first wife, Evelyn Bordeaux, picked up Aquash in Pierre in late 1975 and drove her to Denver, where they dropped her off at an apartment complex. He said he never saw her again.

Aquash’s sisters and two daughters are in the audience for the trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks. If convicted, Graham would face life in prison.

A woman has pleaded guilty to her role in the killing of American Indian Movement activist Annie Mae Aquash on South Dakota's Pine Ridge reservation 35 years ago. The alleged gunman is scheduled for trial later this month.

Thelma Rios, 65, was charged in state court with one count each of felony murder in relation to kidnapping, and premeditated murder. She pleaded guilty Monday to one count of accessory to kidnapping and was sentenced to five years in prison, which was suspended by Judge John Delaney.

Rios admitted in court to relaying a message to fellow AIM members to have Aquash brought from Denver to Rapid City in December 1975, because they thought she was a government informant. Investigators deny she was a snitch. Rios also said she opened up her apartment so Rios could be interrogated.

"An individual has accepted certain responsibility with respect to the Aquash matter," said Marty Jackley, South Dakota's attorney general. "I think it was a fair resolution in reference to that acceptance of responsibility."

Rios was scheduled for trial later this month along with John Graham, who's accused of raping Aquash at Rios' apartment in Rapid City and later killing her near Wanblee. The plea agreement for Rios states she will make herself available to testify at Graham's trial if called by prosecutors.

Rios told Delaney Monday that she heard discussions among other AIM members that Aquash should be killed.

Delaney had earlier ruled that an alleged threat against Aquash by AIM leader Leonard Peltier could be introduced as evidence in the trial. Peltier, who grew up on the Turtle Mountain reservation in North Dakota, is serving two life sentences for killing two FBI agents in a June standoff. The trial was held in Fargo, N.D.

Graham has pleaded not guilty to one count of felony murder in relation to kidnapping, one count of felony murder in relation to rape and one count of premeditated murder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Belgrade man, most decorated Native American in World War II reflects on service life.

Nov 12, 2010 7:43 AM by Dan Boyce

A ceremonial blanket glitters with the marks of a distinguished military career. Barney Old Coyote lists them casually, but feels much more.

Old Coyote, 87, of Belgrade stands as the most decorated Native American who fought in World War II. He lives a peaceful life now, surrounded by those he loves. Yet some wounds never heal.

"There's war honors, decorations like that, that's great. But there's a lot of pain that goes behind that. That pain is something you don't see all the time," Old Coyote said. "My time right now is to enjoy family. I've got a big family and I enjoy every one of them every minute I'm with them."

On Tuesday nights his family gathers, four generations under one roof, and spaghetti's on the menu.

How easily things could have been so much different.

Old Coyote enlisted just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought as an aerial gunner alongside his brother, Henry, flying most of his 72 combat missions aboard a B-17.

The brothers served honorably, but Barney has nothing positive to say about war.

"You could win, but you lose a lot of friends, a lot of good things. You still lose. You lose a piece of yourself because of the war," Old Coyote said.

He remembers flying over a village that looked so quiet.

"And I'm sitting, looking out the window, and all of a sudden a shot came from nowhere and just blew its wing off. I've seen planes get shot up so bad that nothing could live through that thing. Things like that I wish I didn't have to see," he said.

Old Coyote comes from a long line of Crow warriors. Through his pain, his scars of battle, the values of his tribe survive.

"I'll think of the military thing. I'll lay out medals and stuff and see pictures. I'll say that wasn't for me, that was for my people," he said. "I don't think about it all the time, but every once in a while I'll just say a word or two of thanks and that's it."

Thanks not for the 17 combat awards, but for the people gathered around the table-his people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's the most precious thing...to know absolutely where you belong. There's a whole emotional wrapping-around-of-you here. You see the same rock, tree, road, clouds, sun -- you develop a nice kind of intimacy with the world around you. To be intimate is to grow, to learn...[it] is absolutely fulfilling. Intimacy, that's my magic word for why I live here."

-- Tessie Maranjo, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

Every human being, to be mentally healthy, must have the feeling of belonging. When we have a sense of belonging we can be intimate. We can feel. We can connect. If we cannot develop this feeling of belonging, then we will feel lost of disconnected. To be disconnected from life is like walking around during the day not knowing the Sun exists. To have the feelings of intimacy is warm, glowy, joyful, loving, and connected. The feeling this Elder is talking about is available to everyone.

One of the keys to victory over Japan during World War II, was a team of men speaking in code.

Wednesday, a World War II hero came to Garden City to share his story with hundreds of listeners.

One of the keys to victory over Japan during World War II, was a team of men speaking in code. They were Navajo Code Talkers who used their native tongue to send tactical messages to allied forces.

Samuel Holiday, a World War II hero who served as a Navajo Code Talker in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945, came to Garden City Community College to share his story with hundreds of listeners. Some may recall the 2002 film, "Windtalkers," inspired by the true story of Navajo soldiers who use their language to help win several battles in World War II.

On Wednesday morning, Holiday spoke to a packed auditorium. His message was well-received.

"Awesome," said Bill Pilgrim, a veteran himself who was in attendance. "I just wish I could have known him back then. I was in the Marine Corps just like Samuel was," continued Pilgrim. "I wanted to come out and hear his story from when he was in the marines back in World War II."

Holiday talked about growing up, joining the marines and learning the Navajo code, a program that remained classified until 1968. He says he loves to share his past. "I like that people really enjoy it," admits Holiday with a smile.

Several stayed afterwards seeking autographs for his book entitled, "Navajo Weapon." "I really enjoy [telling my story]," says Holiday. "The people here are really friendly. And also, I like the country here."

After returning from overseas, Holiday worked several years as a Navajo police officer and then for a coal company. In 2001, he was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where there is vision, the people live. They are made rich in the things of the spirit; and then, as the logical next step, they are rich in human life.

-- Phil Lane, Sr., YANKTON SIOUX

Since the beginning of time, Indian people have been blessed with the ability and knowledge of the vision. The vision determines our future. The concept is, we move toward and become that which we think about. We have known that all visions are about the Great Spirit. They should include God's will in every area of our lives. We should have visions about our people, about healthy relationships, about helping others, about being happy, about being educated. Each day we should renew our vision. We should ask the Creator to give us a vision of what He wants us to be and where He wants us to go in our lives. We should be the seekers of vision.

It seems another year has gone by since the last time we gathered like this. I say we, although I am not there with you in body, my spirit certainly is. We have coined this day, a day of mourning, as opposed to a day of thanksgiving. It’s a shame that for the most part thanksgiving is relegated to only one day. And mourning is something that relates to unhappy circumstances that have taken place. We certainly can’t change what has happened. This very day is ours and tomorrow hasn’t happened yet and, is uncertain. I really don’t like to dwell on the mourning aspects of life but instead, on what we can do to prevent those unhappy and sometimes terrible times in our history. I may have mentioned it once before but I once read about a union organizer named Joe Hill that was framed by the copper mine owners to be executed. And I believe he said what really needs to be said upon his death. His words were “don’t mourn, organize”. And those are also my sentiments.

There are a lot of things that happened in the past that can be prevented in the future. There are losses that can be regained. But we must organize to do it. We must find it within ourselves to be in touch with the Creator for I can tell you from a heartfelt fact that when they’ve pushed you away, into a dark corner, not just your body, but your mind, your soul, your spirit, there is no one that can sustain you but the Creator himself. Dark moments come and go in all our lifetimes. And there are those in political office, who will try to turn your head away from the obvious truths. They will lie to you about what they believe. They will try to get you to follow what they consider politically correct while ignoring the truth, such as protests against the Mosque being built within blocks of the fallen Trade towers, which incidentally was a monument to wealth and wealth seekers. I am not trying to demean the innocent people whose only cause of their death was seeking a place of employment to feed their families. While they protest the Mosque, no one mentions the Native American sacred places that by treaty are seriously violated daily. Our Sacred Black Hills of South Dakota, sacred to many tribes, have the faces of many of our oppressors carved on them. The place of vision seeking, Bear Butte in South Dakota, sacred to us for millennia, has a bar built at the foot of it and there is talk of having helicopter flights around it to attract tourism. And, there is even talk of drilling for oil and gas.

Every time I have to write or I should say dictate, one of these statements, I try to think of what I would say if this was the last time I got to speak. The thing that comes to mind in some of our sacred ceremonies and that is thoughts of our relationships with the ones we love and the Creator of all life. Not to take away from the theme of this day, but if you can hold the person you love, be thankful. If you can walk on green grass, touch a tree, be thankful. If you can breathe air that didn’t come through a ventilation system, or a window with bars, be thankful. If you can stand in an open field or some other place at night and look up at the heavens, be thankful. No one appreciates the simple things as much as a man or woman locked away. I know sometimes some of my friends may have thought I had become institutionalized and there may be some element of my thinking behavior that has become calloused from this continued imprisonment. But I have not for a moment forgotten the needs of my people and the atrocities committed against them or the circumstances that all the poor and impoverished face in this world at the hands of those who take more than they need and exploit for gain, the futures of our children. I paint pictures of them sometimes, people I’ve known, people I’ve met, places I’ve seen, and places I’ve only seen in my minds eye. And if my paintbrush was magical, rest assured I would paint for myself one open door.

I wrestle with what to say to you and words are sometimes so inadequate. So if you are free today, un-imprisoned, be thankful. Give the person next to you a hug for me. May the Great Spirit bless you always in all ways withthe things you need. May you find joy in doing what is right and righting what is wrong and seek to be the best example of what a human should be in our lifetime.

In the Spirit of those we mourn, those who gave their lives and those whose lives were taken from them.

I really don’t know what else to say because in writing this, my heart has become heavy with the emotions of this time.

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse, who gave his life for what was right and tried to right what was wrong.

Your Brother,

Leonard Peltier

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A bit of interesting....History From My Town:

Friday, November 19, 2010

Skyquakes - The Moodus Phenomena

The Moodus phenomena is a now satisfactorily explained curiosity which had perplexed men for ages. Explained variously as "cracks" in the distance, cannon fire, or soft thunderclaps seeming to originate from the air itself, author Jerome Clark termed them simply "skyquakes," and their history stretches back at least as far as the 16th-Century (recorded, anyway).

The Moodus phenomena was well-noted around Connecticut (where they were termed the Moodus Noises), as well as in India, New Jersey, and elsewhere across the world. American Indian legends in some areas attributed these "skyquakes" to evil spirits, while God-fearing, white settlers blamed the Indians for summoning devils. Some investigators in the 20th-Century even attributed skyquakes to UFO activity. American frontiersmen, Lewis and Clark, even experienced the Moodus Noises!

But research conducted in the 1980s determined that the Moodus phenomena is actually the result of small earthquakes in the area occurring close to the surface. The noises actually originate from underground, though scientists are not entirely certain how or why the sound travels the way it does.

Skyquakes can be more than just noise. In 1888, Moodus Noises rang the church bell in Salem, Massachusetts. For six months from 1977 to the summer of 1978, Americans heard "booms" up and down the East Coast. Government agencies investigated and determined that about 1/3 of the noises could be attributed to aircraft; the rest remain unexplained, but are attributed to the periodic Moodus phenomena, or "skyquakes."

The back side of the coin depicts the 1621 treaty with the Wampanoag Nation. It shows Ousamequin, a Wampanoag sachem, extending a peace pie to Plymouth Colony Gov. John Carver.

"We are actually very pleased that the U.S. government decided to use that particular theme, and the Wampanoag, as the inspiration for the new coin," Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais told The Cape Cod Times.

Congress authorized new designs for the tails side through the Native American $1 Coin Act of 2008 . The coin will celebrate the contributions of Native Americans to U.S. society and recognize important Native Americans

The heads side continues to feature Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who helped explorers Lewis and Clark.

"When the Northern Arapaho General Council voted in 2009 against moving bison from Yellowstone National Park to the Wind River Indian Reservation, the reaction among many observers was puzzlement.

Why would a Great Plains tribe that historically relied upon the buffalo turn down an opportunity to bring some of the genetically pure, disease-free animals to its home in west-central Wyoming?

Star-Tribune business editor Tom Mast set about to answer that question earlier this year. He learned that there wasn't a simple explanation. But he did find a fascinating story worth telling, and he did so in "The long circle," a special report in Sunday's Star-Tribune.

The bottom line is that despite the Northern Arapahos' rejection of the Yellowstone bison transplant plan, there's a great desire among members to restore the tribe's historic link to the buffalo. In fact, the General Council in October voted overwhelmingly to allow buffalo on Arapaho range and directed the tribe's Business Council to find a proper home for them.

To some tribal elders and other leaders, regaining the Northern Arapahos' link to the bison is one way to address the tribe's serious social problems, including substance abuse, low high school graduation rates and crime. While bringing buffalo to the Wind River reservation won't solve those problems, we commend tribal leaders' initiative and wish them the best in their efforts to heal through a return to tradition and heritage."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Book release by Native American poet Sharmagne Leland-St. John (Confederated Colville Tribe of Nespelem, WA)

She is the Editor-in-Chief of the poetry e-zine Quill and Parchment.com.

Sharmagne is also Executive Director of the US poetry divi- sion of Wynterblue Publishing Canada Inc.

Sharmagne spends time between her home in the Hollywood Hills, in Southern California and her fly fishing lodge on the Stillaguamish River in the Pacific Northwest.

She tours the United States, Canada, and England as a performance poet.

She has published 4 books of poetry: Unsung Songs (2003), Silver Tears and Time (2005), Contingencies (2008); and has co-authored a book on film production design: Designing Movies: Portrait of a Hollywood Artist (Greenwood/Praeger 2006).

From the book:

Rain

It was the rhythm of the dance
It was the pace of her footsteps
It was the dust.

Squinting,
She looked up at the sun
And told him, "We need rain".

She told him she would dance
Until Great Spirit sent clouds
With thunder and lightening
And wet arrows of rain
For the parched earth.

She told him:
If Grandfather did not send rain
She was willing to die dancing.

And so she danced...

She danced for the dried willow,
She danced for the spotted calf,
She danced for the brown
Burnt silk thread-strands
In the yellow corn.

She danced for the river's
Murmuring dark song

She danced for the blue bird
With the blood-red streak
On his indigo wings.

She danced for the cedar
The sweet grass and sage.

She danced for those who had gone before
And for those yet to come.

She danced...

Published: November 1, 2010

Publishers: Wynterblue Publishing Canada, Inc (Canada)

Quill and Parchment Press (U.S.A.)

ISBN 13: 978-0-9764244-3-7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FUNNIES:

***Husbands and Wives

A wife asked her husband: 'What do you like most in me, my pretty face or my sexy body?'

He looked at her from head to toe and replied: 'I like your sense of humour!'

~~~~~~~~~~

***Dear old Dad

Son: Mom, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up my seat to a lady.

Mom: Well, you have done the right thing.

Son: But mom, I was sitting on daddy's lap.

~~~~~~~~~~

***Brothel Trip

An elderly man goes into a brothel and tells the madam he would like a young girl for the night.Surprised, she looks at the ancient man and asks how old he is.

I'm 90 years old,' he says.

'90!' replies the woman. 'Don't you realize you've had it?'

'Oh, sorry,' says the old man. 'How much do I owe you?'

~~~~~~~~~~

***Senility

An elderly man went to his doctor and said, 'Doc, I think I'm getting senile. Several times lately, I have forgotten to zip up.'

'That's not senility,' replied the doctor. 'Senility is when you forget to zip down.'

~~~~~~~~~~

***Pest Control

A woman was having a passionate affair with an Irish inspector from a pest-control company.

One afternoon they were carrying on in the bedroom together when her husband arrived home unexpectedly.

'Quick,' said the woman to the lover, 'into the closet!' and she pushed him in the closet, stark naked.

The husband, however, became suspicious and after a search of the bedroom discovered the man in the closet.

'Who are you?' he asked him..

'I'm an inspector from Bugs-B-Gone,' said the exterminator.

'What are you doing in there?' the husband asked.

'I'm investigating a complaint about an infestation of moths,' the man replied.

'And where are your clothes?' asked the husband.

The man looked down at himself and said, 'Those little bastards!'

~~~~~~~~~~~

***Marriage Humour

Wife: What are you doing?

Husband: Nothing.

Wife: Nothing?You've been reading our marriage certificate for an hour.

Husband: I was looking for the expiration date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New version of anti-gaming amendment circulates on Capitol Hill

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A new version of an anti-gaming amendment requires tribes to overcome new hurdles before opening casinos on newly acquired lands.

The proposal essentially bars tribes from crossing state lines to open casinos. It requires newly acquired lands to be "within the same state in which the reservation or seat of government of the Indian tribe is located."

The new version also requires a tribe to demonstrate "a direct connection" to the newly acquired lands. This can be shown through a "final judicial decision" or a "ratified treaty" or through "records" that show a "clear and convincing historical and modern-day connection" to the lands in question.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California), the chair of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, has announced her intent to offer the amendment. She claims it will stop "reservation shopping" in California and other states.

PINE RIDGE, SOUTH DAKOTA — The time for swearing in is here. The time for swearing at is past; maybe.

Outgoing President Theresa Two Bulls was expected to call a special meeting of the Tribal Council on Tuesday to get the Council to vote for a new election.

But despite her efforts to thwart the election she could not get a quorum. This paves the way for the inauguration to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 7. John Yellowbird Steele and Tom Poor Bear will be sworn into office as the new President and Vice President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

According to figures released by the Office of Secretary Rhonda Two Eagle on Nov. 8, 2010 for the office of Presidency John Yellowbird Steele (1849) defeated incumbent Theresa Two Bulls (1773). For the office of Vice-Presidency Thomas Poor Bear (2111) defeated Myron Pourier (1508). Last week the Oglala Sioux Nation Supreme Court denied a request by outgoing President Teresa Two Bulls to have the Oglala Sioux Tribal Election Commission invalidate the Oglala Sioux Tribe 2010 General Election.

The OSN Supreme Court heard the complaints filed against the election commission on Saturday Nov. 20 and released their decision on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

Two Bulls had argued that conduct of the 2010 General Election run and operated by the Commission was so fraught with irregularities and violations of the election code that it merited a new election and had asked for removal of the election commission.

Chief Justice Michael T. Swallow and Associate Justices Marshall, Jones and American Horse denied Two Bulls challenge because she failed to provide supporting documentation for the 13 allegations of impropriety of the election process.

“The petitioner failed to substantiate her claims with the Commission and the violations of the law do not in and of themselves invalidate the November 2, 2010 elections results,” the court ruled.

“While it may be true that violations of the Election Ordinances occurred, this court finds and holds that such violations do not rise to the level of ‘shocking the conscience’ or affected the outcome of the election” the Justices said. “The membership is entitled to a fair election process, not a perfect election.”

They cited the Crystal Eagle Elk v. OST Tribal Council wherein the court held that due process violations must “shock the conscience” in order to be actionable as basis for their decision.

Two Bulls had also argued that the Election Commission Chairman Francis Pumpkin Seed did not meet the age limit guidelines as set out in the ordinance.

The justices also ruled that, “Although Mr. Pumpkin Seed was not 35/30 years of age; the OST Tribal Council must also share responsibility for allowing him to be on the Commission. They selected him. The Election Ordinance vests authority over the Commission in the OST Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is empowered by law to regulate the conduct of Commission members. Mr. Pumpkinseed has been suspended by the Executive Committee pending a hearing before them. That process is authorized by the election ordinance and must be followed.”

Amid the ongoing controversy, the Commission had moved ahead with election protocol and had certified the 2010 General Election results and sent out letters notifying winning candidates of their certification.

“The Election Commission will continue to move forward in a respectful manner until such time the Commission is allowed due process or the new Yellowbird-Steele/Poor Bear Administration is sworn in. The OST Election Commission wishes each winning candidate good luck with their future endeavors and thanks to each and every person involved with this successful election and smooth transition to electronic voting,” the commission issued in a statement last week.

Pumpkin Seed said he and the other commissioners including their legal advisor conducted business as usual because they had not yet received any complaints or been served any formal notice of action from the Executive Board.

“The statement about a new election released by the President’s office has not been considered by the OST Election Commission based upon statements or allegations of persons who have lost in their reelection bid. The Supreme Court of the Oglala Nation had held and heard testimony from Teresa Two Bulls and a decision will be rendered Wednesday November 24, 2010 those orders will be respected and followed by the Election Commission. As to any complaints filed against the OST Election Commission including Francis Pumpkinseed, Illa Lone Hill, Sandra Old Horse and Steve Hawk the OST Election Commission of this time and date have not received any complaints and or subsequent actions of the OST Executive Board, the Election Commission is entitled to due process as mandated by Tribal and Federal Law,” the press release from the OST Election Commission stated.

“The election is pretty much done. We have pretty much moved ahead with everything. People who lost their election bid are trying to get the whole election overturned. There is no possible way that the tribe has $30,000 to conduct a new election,” Pumpkin Seed said.

To date he said the election has cost the Oglala Sioux Tribe a total of $160,000.

“To add on more cost to that is just not feasible. It’s not those who are asking for a new election that are going to suffer, it’s the people of the tribe that are going to be suffering,” he said.

The settlement confirms 650,000 acre-feet of water for the tribe. It authorizes $460 million in payments and infrastructure, including funds for the rehabilitation of an irrigation project on the the reservation, a clean drinking water system and renewable energy projects.

"Today is a momentous day for the Crow people," Chairman Cedric Black Eagle said in a press release. "We have worked long and hard to enact this water settlement bill. With its passage, the Crow people can look forward to clean drinking water and an improved irrigation system, along with the many other elements in the bill. Most of all, it represents a vindication of our rights and claims, which we pressed for so many years."

Self-determination key to economic development
Wednesday, December 1, 2010

"Beginning late in the last century, the economies of Indian nations in the United States began recording a remarkable turnaround.

Since the early 1990s, per capita income on Native American reservations has grown three times faster than in the nation as a whole.

American Indians are still poor — the poorest of any ethnic group in the nation, with 39% of the population living in poverty in 2000 and incomes less than half the U.S. average.

But the gains made among the 1.2 million people living in Indian Country have been dramatic. Something has been working in many Indian nations, according to two professors who have studied tribal development.

And their hope is that the key to such rapid progress won’t be changed by a new Congress.

D.W. Jones has discovered a piece of history. The 16-year old, his daughter and his father Dennis were spending the day at Lake Munson near Tallahassee when they stumbled upon an ancient American Indian Canoe that historians believe could be 500 to 800 years old.

"How is this thing still here for it to be so old you know. It's just like you see, you know you get a piece of fire wood and two years later it's rotten and destroyed. But, just something to be 800 years old and be wood, it's unbelievable," said Jones.

Historic conservators believe the 23 foot long dugout canoe belonged to the Apalachee Indian tribe who used to fish, hunt and gather food in the water. Historical experts say they are blown away by its superior condition.

"The technology that they had at the time to be able to build a canoe this nice, it's pretty amazing to me, when you look at it, how crisply and cleanly it's made and the tools that they had available, shells, sharks teeth, flint," said James Levy.

The enormous canoe took 12 people nearly 6 hours to excavate the rare artifact in tip-top shape.

"Whoever did it was really good because it has sharp 90 degree corners on it and nice clean platforms on the end with just good,sharp edges, so they were very good at it," said Levy.

The canoe is currently at the Museum of Florida History but conservators plan to examine the item further and eventually will put it on display.

More than 350 dugout canoes have been discovered in Florida, but around 1 in 50 are in good condition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hip-hop artists join campaign to release Leonard Peltier
Wednesday, December 1, 2010

"While many of us were helping ourselves to servings of turkey, stuffing and other offerings of the annual feast last Thursday, jailed American Indian Movement activist Leonard Peltier continued to serve time on consecutive life sentences.

Peltier has spent more than three decades imprisoned for the killing of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1975. Believing it to be unjust, various hip-hop artists have come together in common cause for a new compilation album.

Released on Thanksgiving, Free Leonard Peltier: Hip Hop's Contribution to the Freedom Campaign enlists the services of heavyweight conscious rappers Talib Kweli, Dakaa from Dilated Peoples, Immortal Technique, M1 of Dead Prez, and 2Mex. A-Ron, executive producer of the album, says in its notes that the mission of the compilation "is to highlight a case that clearly is an abuse of the legal standards of American justice."

After an introduction by Chairman Fred Hamption Jr., Dakaa and 2Mex get right to business on the Free Leonard Peltier's stand out track "Right the Wrong." The Dilated Peoples MC sums up the spirit of the collective effort when he rhymes "Human rights organizations are trying to right this wrong / The least I could do is write this song" while a following chorus sampling Native American flutes echoes case related samples.

Immortal Technique's spot is a simple soap box statement of support with no backing music. Other tracks, such as "When I Rhyme" featuring Talib Kweli, veer off message but strengthen the overall album with their inclusion. A lesser known artist, Mama Wisdom of the Bay Area Goddess Alchemy Project, excels on "Trail of Tears" mixing poetry reading, rhymes and singing in exhibiting a multifaceted creativity. "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A story with Three Lessons.

A man had fought in Iraq and was discharged and heading home.He called his parents when he arrived in the States.

"Mom, Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask.I have a friend I'd like to bring home with me."

"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting.He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that son.Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom, Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son, said the father, "you don't know what you are asking.Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us.We have our own lives to live and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives.I think you should just come home and forget about this guy.He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point the son hung up the phone.The parents heard nothing more from him.A few days later however, they received a call from the San Francisco police.Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told.The police believed it was a suicide.The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son.They recognized him but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know,their son had only one arm and one leg.

Three things about this story:

1.First our Creator loves us no matter how many wounds or scars we may have.

2.Secondly, we desperately need to accept our brothers and sisters with all their wounds and scars.

3.Thirdly, there are tons of people hurting badly who need to know they are loved and are important to someone.A kind word, a hug, a prayer with them on the phone, these could make a big change in someone's life.Lets do it.Lets help change someone's life.It doesn't take much effort.Our Creator prepares the road, the heart and the help.We need to do the motions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KITCHEN MEDICINE:

ITS ALL GOOD!!(good, healthy things to eat)

Elderberry

An old folk remedy, extract from these dark berries appears to block flu viruses in test tube studies. And a few small studies done in people show it may help you recover more quickly from flu. But scientists caution that further study is needed. The fruit itself is rich in antioxidants and may also have the ability to fight inflammation.

Button Mushrooms

Don't dismiss the lowly mushroom as nutrient poor: It has the mineral selenium and antioxidants. Low levels of selenium have been linked to increased risk of developing more severe flu. And the B vitamins riboflavin and niacin, found in these mushrooms, play a role in a healthy immune system. Animal studies have also shown mushrooms to have antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects.

Acai Berry

Hawked as a "super food" along with produce like blueberries, the little acai berry's dark color signals that it is high in antioxidants called anthocyanins. While the acai is not scientifically linked to specific disease- or illness-fighting ability, antioxidants may help your body fight aging and disease. Acai berries can be found most often in juice or smoothie form, or dried and mixed with granola.

Oysters

Aphrodisiac? Immune boosters? Maybe both, thanks to the mineral zinc that's found in oysters. Low zinc levels have been associated with male infertility. And zinc appears to have some antiviral effect, although researchers can't explain why. However, they do know it is important to several immune system tasks including healing wounds.

Watermelon

Hydrating and refreshing, ripe watermelon also has plenty of a powerful antioxidant, glutathione. Known to help strengthen the immune system so it can fight infection, glutathione is found in the red pulpy flesh near the rind.

Cabbage

This is another source of immune-strengthening glutathione. And cabbage is easy and inexpensive to find during the winter months when it's in season. Try adding cabbages of any variety (white, red, Chinese) to soups and stews to sneak in extra antioxidants and boost your meal's nutritional value.

Almonds

A handful of almonds may shore up your immune system from the effects of stress. A recommended 1/4 cup serving carries nearly 50% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin E, which helps boost the immune system. And they have riboflavin and niacin, B vitamins that may help you bounce back from the effects of stress.

Grapefruit

Grapefruits have a good amount of vitamin C. But science has yet to prove that you can easily get enough vitamin C through foods alone, without supplementation, to help treat cold and flu. However, grapefruit is packed with flavonoids -- natural chemical compounds that have been found to increase immune system activation. Dislike grapefruits? Try oranges or tangerines.

Wheat Germ

Wheat germ is the part of a wheat seed that feeds a baby wheat plant, so it is full of nutrients. It has zinc, antioxidants, and B vitamins among other vital vitamins and minerals. Wheat germ also offers a good mix of fiber, protein, and some good fat. Substitute wheat germ for part of the regular flour called for in baked goods and other recipes.

Garlic

Garlic offers several antioxidants that battle immune system invaders. Among garlic's targets are H. pylori, the bacteria associated with some ulcers and stomach cancer. Cooking tip: Peel, chop and let sit 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to activate immune-boosting enzymes.

Spinach

Known as a "super food," spinach is nutrient-rich. It has folate, which helps your body produce new cells and repair DNA. And it boasts fiber, antioxidants, such as vitamin C, and more. Eat spinach raw or lightly cooked to get the most benefit.

Tea

Green or black? Both are loaded with disease-fighting polyphenols and flavonoids. These antioxidants seek out cell-damaging free radicals and destroy them. Caffeinated and decaf work equally well.

Sweet Potato

Like carrots, sweet potatoes have the antioxidant beta-carotene, which mops up damaging free radicals. Sweet potatoes also boast vitamin A, which is linked to slowing the aging process and may reduce the risk of some cancers.

Broccoli

Easy to find at the grocery store and incorporate into meals, broccoli is an immune-boosting basic. One study reported a chemical in broccoli helped stimulate the immune systems of mice. Plus, it's full of nutrients that protect your body from damage. It has vitamins A, vitamin C, and glutathione. Add some low-fat cheese to round out a side dish with immune-enhancing B vitamins and vitamin D.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2010 HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE

Please. They need our help

Children's Toys and Winter Clothing

Please only send NEW items for children of ALL ages.(Remember that our teens need some holiday cheer, too!)

We Wish You Many Blessings This Holiday Season and Throughout the New Year!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our friend and sister..Dancing Night Crow, will be writing an article each month on spirit animals and what they stand for. She is starting out with the misunderstood crow.

Thank you Dancing Night Crow for your committment to our newsletter.

Shiakoda

~~~~~~~~

"Connecting With Our Animal Spirit Guides"

.....Just as there are (4) Sacred Directions, (4) Seasons, and (4) Colors of humankind, there are (4) types of Animal Spirit Guides...

....Messenger, Shadow, Journey, and Lifetime....

1. 'Messenger" quickly comes into your life and stays just long enough for you to be able to accept or understand the message that needs to be addressed......which can come in the form of a spiritual message or warning.

2. "Shadow" has purpose to teach you lessons from mistakes you have made in the past.....perhaps due to negative thoughts, anger, greed, or even insecurity.

3. "Journey" usually arrives when you need to choose a path or direction in your life.....when you feel, or actually do, become "lost" in your feelings, or perhaps in the eyes of others. A Journey Guide can help you find your way back to where you believe you should be, or actually should be.

4. "Life-Time" remains a part of you, throughout your lifetime, and reflects your own true Spirit. A Life-Time guide can also enhance messages from the other animal guides, from time to time, when appropriate.

...The true ability to communicate with your Spirit-Guides would require respect & knowledge of the ways of your particular animal guide. Mutual respect and trust is very important, as your Guide is quite sensitive to your mood, what is going on around you and inside of you, and the current path you may be on...

The Crow,"Keeper and Teacher of Sacred Law," (also known as Karma), can be a very diverse and complicated energy. It can teach us the mysteries of Creation and Spiritual strength, and to be mindful of our opinions, thoughts, and actions. It introduces us to "unconditional love", the basis of Sacred Law. Unlike man-made laws, Sacred Law remains consistent, and reminds us that we are all related, and need to take care of each other.
Crows have been known as the guardians of ceremonial magic and healing. They can represent change, teaching us to be aware of new realities, and to be at peace with our own company, as well as within a group.

The Crow has been said to be the carrier of lost souls into the light, and to help us to understand the shadows within, teaching forgiveness and self-awareness. They are messengers, reminding us that Magic is all around us, and to be open to messages from the spirit world.

They remind us to learn from others' mistakes, and help us with the ability to see the unseen. To learn to walk between the worlds, and try to achieve balance. Crow can lend a powerful voice when things seem out of balance.

Crow medicine comes to teach us to be aware of our surroundings, invites us to be open to change and new ideas, and to seek to be non-judgmental. It can help one who is struggling to define him or herself, to the self, as well as promote understanding of the balance between personality, mind, and spirit.

The color of Crow is black, a blending of all of the colors in the rainbow, as well as being the color of the darkest part of night, which then gives birth to new light in the morning. Crow assists in the merging of light and dark; inner and outer; the realm of spirit, and the realm of the physical here on earth.

Crows are masters of illusion, and are known for their keen perception, and their abilities for thought and strategy. They have a strong ability for communication, and have even been known to mimic the human voice. They are strong survivalists, and can be very sly and secretive, if it means protecting their family and the ones they love. In the wild, they have been known to build false nests to confuse predators and throw them off track.

In large groups, at least one crow will be given the assignment of scout or watcher and will be in charge of warning the rest of the group whenever something seems threatening, or out of place. Crow medicine teaches us to be in touch with our senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, intuition, and sense of balance.

The Crow as a Spirit Guide, is very curious, and constantly seeking information.... "That which was known.....is known.....and one day will be known." Crow teaches an awareness of the blending of past, present, and future, that is always present and consistent in our lives.

Just wipe ordinary car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

**Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol!

Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia. This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near perfect silence & clarity.

**Ice-proof your windows with vinegar!

Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water thus preventing water from freezing!

**Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray!

Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber

**Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream!

Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

**De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer!

Just put some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems will be solved!

(I know I will be thanking Art this winter)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RECIPES:

***Three Sisters Soup(great for a cold winters night)

Native American peoples believe in the magic of the "three sisters": beans, squash and corn, planted together in a mutually supportive ecosystem. The beans climb onto the corn, and return nitrogen to the soil; the squash, nourished by the beans, provides shade to the shallow roots of the corn plants and keeps the weeds down. Native Americans also believe that since these three foods protect each other while growing, they will protect whoever eats them together. If that's true, this soup offers plenty of protection. The base of apple cider gives the soup a sweet undertone, which you can balance to your taste with a bit of hot pepper flakes.

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy stock pot, add the cider, water or stock, orange juice, squash, onion and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in the Aleppo pepper, agave, curry powder and cumin. Keep the soup at a high simmer over low heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Then, add in the salt, pepper and corn. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes uncovered, stirring frequently, until the soup has reduced and thickened to the consistency you like. (It should be fairly thick.)

Take a large bowl. Check the whiskey again. To be sure it is the highest
quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat.

Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again.

Make sure the whisky is still okay. Cry another tup. Turn off the mixer.

Break two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers pry it
loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares?
Check the whiskey. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find.
Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off
the turner.

Throw the bowl out of the window, check the whiskey again and go to bed.